Hoon favourite to be UK's next European commissioner

Geoff Hoon, the transport secretary, is being lined up by Downing Street as the UK's next European Commissioner, according to senior government sources.

Hoon, a former Europe minister and member of the European Parliament, is likely to be offered the four-year post later this year, taking over from Lady Ashton, who has been filling in since Peter Mandelson was recalled to the cabinet in September.

Sources close to Hoon insisted last night that he was "fully focused" on his job at Transport and was not coveting the post. But one senior Labour colleague said he was "gagging for it" and would relish a move.

Ashton, however, is believed to be "very keen" to have her temporary appointment made permanent. Others believed to be interested include Patricia Hewitt and Denis MacShane.

Senior figures in government say Hoon's nomination would be expedient because of delays to the timetable of nominating commissioners - which would normally start in late summer - caused by Ireland's second referendum on the Lisbon treaty last autumn. This means the next batch of European commissioners are unlikely to take up their posts until the end of this year or the beginning of next.

"This would mean we would be close enough to a general election for us not to have to call a byelection in his seat [Ashfield]," said an insider. "We do not want to have a byelection for obvious reasons."

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